Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish featuring bite-sized pieces of chicken that are battered, deep-fried, and then tossed in a sweet and tangy orange-flavored sauce. The sauce typically includes ingredients like orange juice or zest, soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar, creating a glossy, sticky coating. It's a staple in many Chinese takeout restaurants across the United States.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is generally high in both carbohydrates and fat due to the sugary sauce and deep-frying process, while providing a moderate amount of protein from the chicken. A typical serving can range from 400 to 600 calories, with significant amounts of sodium and added sugars.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	490 kcal
Protein	25 g
Carbs	45 g
Fat	22 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	20 g
Sodium	920 mg
Vitamin C	15 mg
Vitamin B6	0.4 mg
Niacin (B3)	8 mg
Iron	2 mg
Potassium	350 mg
Phosphorus	250 mg
Selenium	30 mcg
Zinc	2 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, Orange Chicken is a quintessential example of American Chinese cuisine, adapted to suit Western palates with its pronounced sweetness. Nutritionally, the orange in the sauce often comes from concentrate or flavoring rather than fresh fruit, meaning it contributes more to the sugar content than to vitamin C.